Chapter 307 - - 305 sets of routines have been learned by others_1

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Leaving Land Lord Lu’s residence.

Luo Shuang still hadn’t recovered from the surprise, “Master, is it really okay to do this? If we recruit talent in this way, even if I restore the country in the future, my reputation will be ruined, won’t it?”

“Princess, history is written by the victors,” Duge said with a smile, shaking his head, “If the princess truly ascends the throne one day, these people will become meritorious ministers who will naturally embellish your actions. At that point, it won’t be that they were forced to join the princess’s army, but that they joined willingly. Because, it will bring them glory.”

“What if it doesn’t work out? Wouldn’t I have harmed them?” Luo Shuang asked.

“A single general’s success may come at the cost of countless lives,” Duge stated, “One who aspires to command must not possess a heart too kind, let alone a sovereign of a nation.”

After a long silence, Luo Shuang sighed deeply, looked at Duge, and said, “Master, this time I truly understand. Next, should we look for more people like Land Lord Lu?”

“We could,” Duge said with a chuckle, “Laying a casual piece in the game of chess, who knows when it might come into play. But when it’s time to rise up, we can’t rely solely on these petty citizens; we’ll also need the support of the great families, the wealthy merchants, or even the major sects. Warfare is fought with money, and with people.”

“Master, your methods can only recruit the weak, how should we recruit the strong?” Luo Shuang asked again.

“Move them with compassion, entice them with benefits,” Duge replied, “When we encounter the strong, your master will teach you step by step. I don’t dare to boast about other things, but when it comes to making friends, no one does it better than your master.”

…

On the next part of their journey, Duge and Luo Shuang continued traveling, cultivating their influence as they went.

Wealthy tycoons, landowners, merchants, and anyone with a bit of capability who encountered Duge became potential rebels, each with a sword of Damocles hanging above their head.

There were no legends of the Fourth Princess in the jianghu, and yet her shadow was everywhere.

Duge was painstakingly crafting an undercurrent, and his persona as a master and loyal minister was becoming ever more firmly established.

…

It was only upon reaching Datong in Chongming Country that Duge received news of other warriors.

On the city walls of Datong town, an official proclamation was posted:

“… It’s been said that the Heavenly Demon disrupts the world. If anyone suspects the presence of a Heavenly Demon nearby, they may report to the government. If the report proves true, a reward of a hundred taels of silver will be given; characteristics of a Heavenly Demon include behavior that is markedly different from their usual…”

Below the announcement, the public was enthusiastically discussing who among them might be a Heavenly Demon.

“… I heard that in Mingyang City, a peasant boy suddenly became eloquent and was hailed as a prodigy for miles around. His father boasted about him everywhere, but then a squad of officials took him away. Once confirmed to be a Heavenly Demon, he was executed the next day.”

“One of the Hall Masters from the Five Tigers Gang suddenly decided to change the gang’s rules a while back, insisting that members be trustworthy and fulfill any promises they made. This led to complaints to the Gang Leader, and as a result, he killed the Gang Leader. Afterwards, the members reported him to the government, and he was dealt with as a Heavenly Demon that very day.”

“That’s nothing, I heard that in Yunxi, a butcher created something called an investment return scheme and, within a few days, attracted nearly half the town’s wealth. Even the county magistrate got involved, and later, when it was revealed he was a Heavenly Demon…”

…

What a bunch of people ruined by the new rules!

Listening to the discussions all around, Duge couldn’t help commenting inwardly.

Thinking they could awaken skills by making a big scene, they ended up putting themselves in the spotlight without any skills, and instead lost their lives.

Alas!

Duge sighed.

Those who could be weeded out this easily were fools. With incorrect identities, yet forcibly trying to match the keywords, it would be strange if they weren’t discovered.

…

The concept of the Heavenly Demon was initially spread by him in the simulation field, and only those from Qiyuan Star had access to the simulation field’s data.

Therefore, the warrior in Chongming Country who had managed to create such a significant impact using the Heavenly Demon might be from Qiyuan Star.

Given the current situation, it was quite possible that he had already taken control of part of the state of affairs, and according to their tactics, once one of them gained the upper hand, the others would join forces with him and verify identities.

We need to find a way to identify him; perhaps we can gain some support from him…

…

“Master, what is a Heavenly Demon?” Luo Shuang inquired, looking at the announcement and the descriptions of the Heavenly Demon, interrupting Duge’s contemplation.

“I don’t know, I’ve never heard of it before,” Duge said, furrowing his brow and lowering his voice, “It looks like Heavenly Demons are some sort of remarkable individuals. If we encounter them, we might attempt to recruit them.”

“Recruitment?” Luo Shuang was stunned, “But I heard those people discussing how the Heavenly Demon does things beyond comprehension, posing a grave danger to society…”

“The more beyond comprehension, the more it helps us,” Duge said. “Has the princess considered sending these Heavenly Demons to Qingwu Country and letting Duke Dingguo have a headache?”

“Excellent,” Luo Shuang’s eyes lit up.

“Duke Dingguo gained his position illegitimately; thus, Heaven has sent down the Heavenly Demon to create chaos. Do you think, once such a reputation spreads among the people, Duke Dingguo will not feel like sitting on pins and needles?” Duge pondered for a moment, then suggested another idea.

Luo Shuang was taken aback, staring at Duge strangely and said nothing for a long time.

“What’s the matter?” Duge asked.

“Master, I find you more and more impressive. Every matter, every person can be used by you.” Luo Shuang’s face turned red as she said in a low voice, “If General Si Chen hadn’t sent you on an undercover mission, with your help, probably General Si would have controlled the situation by now. Your talents should not be wasted on being an undercover agent.”

“Because of what I do, I must understand a lot,” Duge said with a smile, glancing toward the city gate and motioning to Luo Shuang, “Let’s go!”

“Aren’t we going into the city?” Luo Shuang asked, looking toward the city gate where the soldiers were letting people into the city after bleeding them. Five or six people clad in brocade, with longswords at their waists, fixated their gaze on each person’s wound, as if they might lash out and harm someone at any moment…

“Not anymore; we’ll find a way to sneak in at night,” Duge said in a lowered voice. “Don’t look that way; there are people from Dragon Teeth at the city gate.”

Hearing this, Luo Shuang glanced at the city gate warily, then pressed her hat lower and followed behind Duge, turning onto a small path beside the Official Way.

…

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Duge walked ahead in silence, his brow furrowed in deep thought, struggling to find a way to break the predicament.

Neighborhood denunciations, blood checks…

One by one, they had all learned his tactics.

If the authorities had learned to use blood checks, then the recruitment of disciples by the prominent sects would probably also have to go through this ordeal!

This was a way to fundamentally prevent others from rising up…

The martial arts learned from Dragon Teeth were clearly inadequate for the current situation. To stand a chance in this world, one must possess an exceptional Cultivation Technique.

…

Luo Shuang, following behind Duge, did not dare to disturb him, occasionally glancing back in fear that someone from Dragon Teeth might catch up.

Having experienced the ferocity of the Dragon Teeth assassins, she knew that no matter how good the strategy or how sharp the mind, if one’s life was taken, it was all over.

Now she regretted not having learned her skills well at Qinglan Sword Sect. If she had mastered even a tenth of her master’s skills, what would she have to fear from Dragon Teeth?

The two hadn’t walked far.

Suddenly.

A peasant resting under a tree with a basket of white peaches called out to them, “Let’s cooperate!”

Duge abruptly turned, his longsword unsheathed, pointing at him.

Luo Shuang also reached for her dagger, stepping back to hide herself behind Duge.

The peasant, seeming to be in his fifties with darkened skin and a face full of bark-like wrinkles, watched the two with an unperturbed expression: “Don’t be alarmed. First, look at the edict for apprehending the Heavenly Demon, then watch the blood checks at the city gate, and you decide to leave. To say you two are not Heavenly Demons, no one would believe.

I don’t know which planet you’re from, but in this situation, it’s difficult to go it alone. We need to find people to cooperate with if we want a chance to break through!”

“Are you a Heavenly Demon?” Luo Shuang’s heart pounded, unable to stop her eyes from widening. She had just been discussing the Heavenly Demon with Duge, and now, unexpectedly, she had encountered a real one.

“Heavenly Demon?” Duge showed a puzzled expression, then immediately looked thrilled, “After much toil in searching, it is found without effort. Join us. Chongming Country can’t accommodate you, but we can; we are just short of talented people like you!”

“Our identities are clear now; there’s no point in playing this game anymore,” the peasant snorted. “Given the current situation…”

Swish!

Duge thrust out with his sword.

A line of blood appeared instantaneously on the peasant’s face.

The peasant’s voice stopped abruptly; he stared for a moment, his legs gave way, and he fell to his knees with a thud, “Spare my life, good sir, I’m not a Heavenly Demon, someone paid me to be here, and those words were taught to me to say…”

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